Critics fear not having to go back to voters periodically to approve tax rates would reduce accountability

Oct. 16, 2013

Danny Link picked out a book to read over the weekend at the Wyoming Branch Library. / The Enquirer/Tony Jones

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By the numbers
Library funding

LeviesToday: 173 of Ohio's 251 public library systems have local property tax levies. Ohio Public Library statistics show that library levies totaled $321,844,408 in 2011, the most recent year available. In 2010: 119 public library systems had local property tax levies. Ohio Public Library statistics show those levies totaled $257,280,257. State fundingBetween 2006 and 2011 state funding for libraries dropped 20 percent, while there was an almost 57 percent increase in local funding. In 2011State funding … $364,129,165 Levy funding … $321,844,408 In 2006State funding … $457,685,776 Levy funding … $205,301,805 Future fundingThe proposed 2014 state budget, under consideration now, boosts library funding by about 4 percent. Funding shifts to a percentage of state general tax revenue, with State Department of Taxation projections showing an increase of $15 million next year and $10 million the following year.

Raise your voice

What you need to know

Unlike most levies, the library board doesn’t need commissioner approval to ask the voters for a levy. In 2013, the owner of a $100,000 home pays $30.15 for the library levy. The levy brings in $17.5 millionannually. The library board first asked for a levy in 2009it passed with 73 percent of the vote.⬛ The library levy is one of 11 county levies; all told they cost the owner of a $100,000 home $384.91 a year.

What you need to know

Unlike most levies, the library board doesn’t need commissioner approval to ask the voters for a levy. In 2013, the owner of a $100,000 home pays $30.15 for the library levy. The levy brings in $17.5 millionannually. The library board first asked for a levy in 2009it passed with 73 percent of the vote.⬛ The library levy is one of 11 county levies; all told they cost the owner of a $100,000 home $384.91 a year.

Library revenues and spending

Here’s how the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County pays for and spends its annual budget. ? Supplies, capital improvements, furniture and equipment *Earnings on investments, sale of surplus property, digitizing services, other income ** Insurance, maintenance and rent, phone bills

Library revenues and spending

Here’s how the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County pays for and spends its annual budget. ? Supplies, capital improvements, furniture and equipment *Earnings on investments, sale of surplus property, digitizing services, other income ** Insurance, maintenance and rent, phone bills

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In an unusual move, leaders with the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County will consider making the library’s property tax levy permanent, ending the need for periodic voter approval.

In an unusual move, leaders with the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County will consider making the library’s property tax levy permanent, ending the need for periodic voter approval.

The library levy expires next year, and officials say they’ll ask for a renewal, possibly putting a levy to voters as soon as this November.

The library levy expires next year, and officials say they’ll ask for a renewal, possibly putting a levy to voters as soon as this November.

Unlike most levies, the library tax requires no county commissioner approval. It doesn’t get the same scrutiny as other levies from the county’s Tax Levy Review Committee, which hires outside consultants to analyze agency spending. Audits performed by the state and outside firms show that the library’s spending and accounting practices are sound, but don’t evaluate spending decisions.

Unlike most levies, the library tax requires no county commissioner approval. It doesn’t get the same scrutiny as other levies from the county’s Tax Levy Review Committee, which hires outside consultants to analyze agency spending. Audits performed by the state and outside firms show that the library’s spending and accounting practices are sound, but don’t evaluate spending decisions.

The seven-member library board, which is appointed by Hamilton County Commissioners and Common Pleas judges, decides when to ask for support and how much to seek.

The seven-member library board, which is appointed by Hamilton County Commissioners and Common Pleas judges, decides when to ask for support and how much to seek.

Director Kimber Fendersaid she might ask the board to seek a permanent levy – what state law calls a “continuing” levy – meaning it would no longer comes up for periodic renewal by voters if it wins approval. Only one of Hamilton County’s 11 levies is permanent. The library tax was first approved in 2009 and won 73 percent approval.

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Director Kimber Fendersaid she might ask the board to seek a permanent levy – what state law calls a “continuing” levy – meaning it would no longer comes up for periodic renewal by voters if it wins approval. Only one of Hamilton County’s 11 levies is permanent. The library tax was first approved in 2009 and won 73 percent approval.

“There are advantages and drawbacks to a continuing levy,” Fender said. She said advantages include not having to continually seek ballot approval and the ability to plan. The drawback: Over time the levy would generate less revenue.

“There are advantages and drawbacks to a continuing levy,” Fender said. She said advantages include not having to continually seek ballot approval and the ability to plan. The drawback: Over time the levy would generate less revenue.

Fender said that no matter when the request is made – other options include the spring 2014 primary and November 2014 general election – the library won’t ask for a tax increase from the current level of $30.15 per $100,000 of assessed value.

Fender said that no matter when the request is made – other options include the spring 2014 primary and November 2014 general election – the library won’t ask for a tax increase from the current level of $30.15 per $100,000 of assessed value.

While no single county levy is very expensive, all told they cost the owner of a $100,000 home $384.91 a year.

While no single county levy is very expensive, all told they cost the owner of a $100,000 home $384.91 a year.

Hamilton County Board of Commissioners President Chris Monzel, a Republican, said he’s worried about the overall tax burden for county residents.

Hamilton County Board of Commissioners President Chris Monzel, a Republican, said he’s worried about the overall tax burden for county residents.

“We’re looking to make sure taxes don’t increase, and I hope they do the same thing with the library levy,” Monzel said. “We’re lucky to have a great library system, but if we put a huge tax burden on people, they will look for somewhere else to live or put their business.”

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“We’re looking to make sure taxes don’t increase, and I hope they do the same thing with the library levy,” Monzel said. “We’re lucky to have a great library system, but if we put a huge tax burden on people, they will look for somewhere else to live or put their business.”

Fender said bringing the levy to the ballot a year early “lets us know our funding is secure for an additional amount of time and that lets us do long-range planning. The local funding we receive from the levy is critical to keeping libraries open.”

Fender said bringing the levy to the ballot a year early “lets us know our funding is secure for an additional amount of time and that lets us do long-range planning. The local funding we receive from the levy is critical to keeping libraries open.”

Bringing it up this year also means it would have less competition on the ballot; next year as many as four other levies could be on the ballot. This year only the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden levy is up for renewal. In addition, 2013 is an off-year election; next year will feature a governor’s race, statewide races and congressional races.

Bringing it up this year also means it would have less competition on the ballot; next year as many as four other levies could be on the ballot. This year only the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden levy is up for renewal. In addition, 2013 is an off-year election; next year will feature a governor’s race, statewide races and congressional races.

The library board has not discussed the matter. At today’s library board meeting, members are expected to ask Hamilton County Auditor Dusty Rhodes for property value information – the first step in the levy request process. That information is used to determine how much each property owner pays.

The library board has not discussed the matter. At today’s library board meeting, members are expected to ask Hamilton County Auditor Dusty Rhodes for property value information – the first step in the levy request process. That information is used to determine how much each property owner pays.

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The deadline to put a levy on the November ballot is Aug. 7.

The deadline to put a levy on the November ballot is Aug. 7.

Hamilton County only has one other permanent levy, one that pays for police cruiser cameras. It passed in 1982 and costs the owner of a $100,000 home $4.99 a year.

Hamilton County only has one other permanent levy, one that pays for police cruiser cameras. It passed in 1982 and costs the owner of a $100,000 home $4.99 a year.

Critics fear loss of oversight

Tom Brinkman, founder of Citizens Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes, has long criticized library spending, saying Hamilton County’s library system puts too much emphasis on audio books and videos.

Critics fear loss of oversight

Tom Brinkman, founder of Citizens Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes, has long criticized library spending, saying Hamilton County’s library system puts too much emphasis on audio books and videos.

He said if any renewal should be for only a few years. A permanent levy would be “troublesome” he said, becauseit would reduce accountability.

He said if any renewal should be for only a few years. A permanent levy would be “troublesome” he said, becauseit would reduce accountability.

“Voters serve as oversight,” Brinkman said. “They can say whether the library is doing things right or wrong. With a perpetual levy, you lose that oversight.”

“Voters serve as oversight,” Brinkman said. “They can say whether the library is doing things right or wrong. With a perpetual levy, you lose that oversight.”

Brinkman criticized a recent fine amnesty program. On May 15, the library conducted a one-time amnesty that forgave $550,000 in fines.

Brinkman criticized a recent fine amnesty program. On May 15, the library conducted a one-time amnesty that forgave $550,000 in fines.

“They just gave away almost $550,000,” Brinkman said. “And now they are saying they need more money?”

“They just gave away almost $550,000,” Brinkman said. “And now they are saying they need more money?”

As Mount Washington resident Carol Rainey, 71, walked into last week’s library book sale she said she supports the levy, but would not support a permanent levy.

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As Mount Washington resident Carol Rainey, 71, walked into last week’s library book sale she said she supports the levy, but would not support a permanent levy.

“I’ll support the levy as long as I need to ... There have been too many state cuts,” she said. Between 2006 and 2011 state funding for libraries dropped 20 percent, according to the Ohio Library Council.

“I’ll support the levy as long as I need to ... There have been too many state cuts,” she said. Between 2006 and 2011 state funding for libraries dropped 20 percent, according to the Ohio Library Council.

Levies rising statewide

Library levies are on the rise statewide, going from 119 in 2010 to 173 in 2011. That’s partlydue to state cuts, said Ohio Library Council Director Doug Evans.

Levies rising statewide

Library levies are on the rise statewide, going from 119 in 2010 to 173 in 2011. That’s partlydue to state cuts, said Ohio Library Council Director Doug Evans.

“Library levies are certainly necessary,” Evans said. “State funding has decreased, but libraries are seeing an increase in the amount of needed services.” He said in today’s economy people rely on libraries for Internet access and help with job searches and business start-ups.

“Library levies are certainly necessary,” Evans said. “State funding has decreased, but libraries are seeing an increase in the amount of needed services.” He said in today’s economy people rely on libraries for Internet access and help with job searches and business start-ups.

The Hamilton County library was awarded the 2013 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor recognizing museums and libraries.

The Hamilton County library was awarded the 2013 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor recognizing museums and libraries.

More than 500,000 people hold library cards; at least one person in 88 percent of the households in Hamilton County have a card.⬛

More than 500,000 people hold library cards; at least one person in 88 percent of the households in Hamilton County have a card.⬛